Shawne Williams Wants to Remain a Knick

He received little mention in the Most Improved Player debate, but Shawne Williams surprisingly evolved into a solid role player in New York this season. As the New York Post reports, he’d like to stay there: “Without question, Shawne Williams wants to return to the Knicks next year. Williams will be a free agent this summer, and the valuable forward was perhaps the Knicks’ most pleasant surprise of the season. The four-year veteran didn’t play in the NBA last season, earned a spot on the Knicks’ roster in training camp, didn’t get off the bench in the first 17 games, then emerged as a key reserve and spot starter. ‘This is where I want to play at,’ Williams said. ‘Great group of guys. A couple great superstars that I feel like we can do something with.’ Knicks president Donnie Walsh drafted Williams in 2006 when he ran the Pacers. The promising Williams had a rocky NBA career, however, with troubles including two arrests for drugs, a 2008 trade to Dallas (where he clashed with owner Mark Cuban) and a subsequent deal to the Nets in January of last year. The Nets waived Williams four days later. He signed with the Knicks last September. The 25-year-old Williams — who has the same agent, Happy Walters, as his friend and teammate Amar’e Stoudemire — averaged 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds this season while shooting an impressive 40.1 percent from 3-point range, 30th in the league. ‘I feel like I’ve defined my role with this team a little bit,’ Williams said of his long-range touch. ‘But I can do a little bit better.'”